Everyone is familiar with, or has heard of the Maerklin HO model of the freight train gepackwagen numbers 4600, the 4699 and the 4889 issued since year ".". It has also been included in many train sets, and it would be surprising if you did not own one. I have quite a few of them, because it is such an interesting wagon.

By 1914 after an evolution spanning decades, this particular type of baggage or helper car became a standard in Prussia. Then from 1920, the newly formed DRG adopted this wagon for build-programs and allocation throughout Germany. The Pwg numbered over 9,000 (including those built prior to 1920), and lasted well into the 1970s. Many were rebuilt with minor detail changes, some had the raised roof area removed, and bay windows added to the sides.

The Maerklin 1 Gauge Model:

A look at Maerklins’ I Gauge model shows why it interests me. The magnificent interior modelling, illustrates the look-out raised roof office area with seating and work table for the train-director. The crate/baggage storage area also included a wood stove and a toilet as shown in the artists drawing below.

The Maerklin HO model:

The basic Maerklin offering of this vehicle can cover eras 1-late III with minor alterations, so inclusion of a full length running-board, and repainting in KPEV colours is perfectly acceptable.I guess there are a dozen different variations in the available HO models, mostly lettering and numbering. In my investigation of these models, I found that the body dimensions are all correct, but the wheelbase is about 4mm short. The body on one side incorporates the toilet window. The roof detail includes cabling for lighting, ventilation pods, and a poor representation of a stove vent. The underframe detail used by Maerklin is probably incorrect, the axleboxes being the roller-bearing type. These details are hardly noticeable, and in any case the overall proportionate look is correct.

Under the floor, the models include a gas tank for gas lighting, containing 400 or 500 litres (coal gas I presume) even into era III versions. While many were also fitted with electric lights, many of this class of Pwg lasted well into the DB era with gas lighting. Surprisingly, some units getting a fairly heavy overhaul or rebuilding without the raised roof area in the 1950s retained gas. The sole-bar (the black side frame under the body) lettering printed by Maerklin often shows the gas tank capacity detail, and probably also shows if electric lighting is fitted.Electrically lighted units had no generators or batteries, probably to keep things simple. Since a Pwg is normally hauled right behind the locomotive, a cable connection furnished the 24 vdc from the locomotive's system.

One other interesting fact about the German Gepäckwagen in both freight and passenger versions, is the application of the sliding doors.The design of the Pwg was based on the design of the G wagon (Gedeckter Güterwagen) of the time.On the G type wagons, the slide door mechanism was symmetrical.Whichever side you were facing, the door slid to the RIGHT.

On the Gepäckwagen, the door slid to the LEFT on the toilet side, and to the RIGHT on the opposite side.

The running quality of the Maerklin Pwg model is superb.

The 4699:

You can purchase un-boxed examples of the 4699 quite cheaply (running number 120398 for era II), because it came with many train sets. I use these for re-lettering and re-numbering.The latest example from Maerklin of the 4699 type, is the 46983 which carries a Nurnberg number 131617 for era II, and represents a pre-1920 build. On this 46983 model I replaced the stove vent with a lathe-worked example. Detail note: - the storage compartments were typical for the wagons during eras I and II. You can see them in the lower body alongside the office door. They contained flares, lanterns, a bicycle, and fuel brikettes for the stove or for wayside stations and depots.

In the next example (a 4699) I fitted a replacement stove vent from an old Trix model. The lathe examples take me at least one hour each, so are made only when I have nothing else to do. I have included a basic interior as part of the body shell. I also fitted a full length running board from an old die-cast Trix model.

The 4889:

The 4889 is more likely to represent the gepackwagen after 1945 when re-building or refurbishment took place. So it does not include the storage compartments which show on the 4699, and this is the only difference between these models. In the photo the compartments space is now taken up by a route blackboard and holder for destination labels. On this example I also removed some ventilation bulges on the office roof, and added my own lathe-worked stove vent.

As an added interest, I visited the DB Museum (annexe) in Koblenz in November 2018, and managed this picture of the running gear and axle box of a Pwg which is being restored.The housing casting (for the plain axle bearing) shows it was built in 1923.

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